Gothenburg vs Davao
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Davao is ~62% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Davao
Philippines
COL+Rent
14
Rent Index
4.5
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
14.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Davao | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $171 | +$648 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $110 | +$534 |
| Groceries | $271 | $160 | +$111 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $4 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $8 | +$67 |
| Utilities | $82 | $60 | +$22 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Davao |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $306/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $459/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $577/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Davao | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $568/mo | -$932 |
| $2,000/mo | $757/mo | -$1,243 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,135/mo | -$1,865 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Davao for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Davao is approximately 62% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Davao's 14 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $171/month in Davao — giving Davao a $648/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,776 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Davao ($160/mo) reflect Davao's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $4 show Davao offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Davao offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $459 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.